Solo Support Services wear it Blue for Autism Awareness!

Throughout the month of April, The National Autistic Society are celebrating Autism awareness! Solo support Services, their teams and clients are wearing something blue in support of understanding and acceptance for people with Autism.

Here is a little Information about Autism.

It is estimated that around 700,000 people in the UK have a diagnosis of autism. One in 100 children in the UK have a diagnosis of autism spectrum disorder.

Like a learning disability, autism is a lifelong condition. Autism is sometimes referred to as a spectrum, or autism spectrum disorder (ASD). Autism is not a learning disability, but around half of autistic people may also have a learning disability.

These are some of the characteristics of ASD:

• problems with social interaction with others. This may include problems talking back and forth, working, or playing with others.

• unusual interest in objects

• need for sameness

• great variation in abilities

• under or over reaction to one or more of the five senses: sight, touch, taste, smell, or hearing

• repeated actions or body movements

• unusual emotional reactions and expressions

How we can help people with Autism

Don’t Overload

Give me time to process things around me.

Be aware

I may cover my ears, pace the floor, become restless and try to move away from you. Try using a calm voice and reassurance to help me calm down.

I may like music or space and time to be on my own.

Think before you speak

I may take all that you say literally so please think about the words and phrases that you use and check out my perceptions of what is being asked.

Communication

I may only be able to look or listen, but not do both together! If I am not looking at you it does not mean I am not listening. Check by asking me.

Change

Give me time to acclimatise to change. I am not very good at sudden changes. It can make me very anxious.

Here is a collection of our photos!

If anyone would like any more information then please do visit the Autistic Society website https://www.autism.org.uk/directory